Brent O’Bryan, vice president of training and development with AlliedBarton Security Services, said quick thinking could save your life.

“Never assume that everything is fine. If you think you heard gunshots, get out of the environment as quickly as possible,” O’Bryan said. “Seconds or minutes can be a matter of life or death.”

Escape

Escaping is your best option. Be aware of all exits. You could be near a door, but that door might be the one the shooter comes through. If there’s a clear exit, run and leave your belongings behind. You also have to make quick decisions about leaving. If your friend doesn’t want to go, you might need to leave them behind.

“You can’t spend time trying to convince someone else to flee,” said Root, who has more than 26 years of law enforcement experience. “That’s time that prevents you from getting out so you can get help to end the event.”

Hide and call for help

If you can see the shooter, the shooter can see you. Find a room to hide, preferably one with closets or other rooms. Lock the door and blockade the door with heavy furniture, depending on the way the door swings. You can use a belt to wrap around mechanisms on the door or wedge items under the door, like a rubberized mat you might find in a bathroom.

“There is no perfect answer,” Root said. “We just have to adapt and use what we can.”

Homeland Security says to dial 911. If you can’t speak, leave the line open so the dispatcher can listen to the scene. Make sure your ringer is on silent.

Root said one of the most important steps to take when hiding is understanding the possibility of the shooter coming in the room. You and those you’re hiding with must have a plan to take down the shooter, if he or she enters.

Look at the back of toilets — porcelain covers can be weapons. Look inside soap dispensers — soap bags could be weapons. Grab what you can and prepare.

Take action against the shooter

Engaging with the active shooter is a last resort. When your life is in danger and you have no other options, try to disrupt the shooter by throwing items, improvising weapons and yelling.

“Force is never pretty, but if you don’t have an option, we tell people to fight,” said Seyferth. “That means picking up whatever weapon of opportunity is available whether it be in the office and it’s a stapler…Whatever you can get your hands on with whatever you can do the most damage so you can fight.”

When the shooter comes into your hiding place, you are found. You have no choice but to fight, and use everything you have.

If the fight comes to you, you have to be willing to engage, Root said. If not, you are going to be a victim.